The Bernese Mountain Dog is a breed that packs a punch.
Tri-colored and long-legged. He is firm and harmonious. Intelligent, strong and agile, he is good enough in the mountains for jobs like dragging or herding, which is the origin of the breed. The males are majestic and the females are soft.
Size
Standard shoulder height is about 25 to 27.5 inches for males; 23 to 26 inches for bitches. Square in appearance, the Bernese Mountain Dog’s body length is slightly greater than shoulder height. Solid bone is very important. Full-bodied.
Head
The expression is intelligent, lively and refined. The eyes are dark brown, slightly ovate, with the eyelids close to the eyeballs. Eyelid entropion or ectropion are serious defects. Blue eyes are disqualifying.
Ears: Medium sized, high positioned, triangular. The tips of the ears are slightly rounded and when resting, they hang down by the side of the head. When the Bernese Mountain Dog is alert, the ears are turned forward, the roots of the ears are raised, and the highest part of the ear is flush with the top of the head. The top of the head is flat and broad, slightly wrinkled and well defined, but without over-exaggerated stops.
The muzzle is firm and straight.
The nosepiece must be black. Lips are clean, the Bernese Mountain Dog is a tight lipped breed with only a slight droop to the upper lip.
Teeth: Shear bite. A protruding upper jaw bite or a protruding lower jaw bite are considered serious defects. No missing teeth.
Neck, Dorsal Line, Body
Neck strong, muscular and of medium length. The dorsal line remains level from the withers to the hips.
The chest is deep and broad, with well expanded ribs but no barrel chest, and the chest reaches the elbows.
The back is broad and firm. Waist firm. The rump is wide and smoothly rounded to the root of the tail.
Tail hair is dense. Tail hangs downward when at rest. When he is alert, the tail is allowed to curl upward, but it is never allowed to roll over or up above the back.
The tailbone is straight and extends to the fly joint or lower.
A twisted tail is a defect.
Forequarters
Shoulders moderately back, lying flat, well muscled and never flabby. The forelegs are straight and firm, standing with the elbows just below the shoulder blades. The feet and wrists are very slightly inclined. However, they must never appear weak. Wolf claws may be excised. The paws are round and compact, with arched toes.
Hindquarters
The thighs are wide, firm and muscular. The stifle is properly angled, tapering gradually and smoothly downward to join the fly joint. The fly joints are as low as possible, and the hind trotters are straight when viewed from behind. Wolf claws may be excised. Foot claws are compact, neither turned inward nor outward.
Coat
Coat is dense, medium length, slightly shiny or neat looking. Shows a bright, natural glow. An excessively curly or excessively dull coat is frowned upon. Bernese Mountain Dogs are required to have a natural coat, and trimmed coats are frowned upon in competition.
Color and Markings
The Bernese Mountain Dog is a tri-colored dog. The basic color is deep black. The color of the markings is rich rust and clear white. Symmetrical markings are preferred.
The rust color appears above the eyes, extending from the cheeks to the corners of the mouth, on the sides of the chest, on all four legs and under the tail. There are white veins on the face and white stripes on the muzzle.
White markings also appear on the forechest. The tip of the tail is also white. White footpaws are preferred, but the white color does not extend to the ankles. Markings other than those described above are defective and points are deducted according to the degree of deviation. White legs and white collars are serious defects.
A basic color that is not black is a disqualification.
Gait
The natural working gait of the Bernese Mountain Dog is a slow trot. Of course, he can be a little faster and more agile when used for dragging or herding. The forequarters are well extended and the hindquarters are strongly driven, and the back line is level. There is no unnecessary movement. The corresponding front and rear legs always move in the same plane. The legs converge to the centerline as they increase in speed.
Temperament
Temperament is confident, alert and kind, not nervous or shy. The Bernese Mountain Dog will stand firm and remain aloof in the face of strangers.
Disorder
Blue Eyes. Basic color other than black.
Standard adoption date: February 10, 1990
Standard implementation date: March 28, 1990
